Jemini
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I just got finished watching Das Rheingold, the first of Wagner's 4 part epic Ring Cycle. I've heard people comment on how powerful and transformative this epic opera was. I had not really payed it much thought, but after watching it... WOW! Just the first one. I couldn't believe the power of the symbolism that the ring was given.
First, I want to start off with how heavily I had been hit over the head with just how much Tolkein ripped directly from this thing. Seriously, the ring in this story is the freaking one ring from Lord of the Rings. There's no two ways to slice it. The thing has the same level of overwhelming power. And it's not just that. It felt like Tolkein failed to do his source material justice even after borrowing such a powerful artifact for his own story. Second, the line delivered by the Rhein maidens at the end nearly made my jaw drop. Also, Loga. Freaking Loga. Supposedly the god of fire, but pretty obviously some version of what we know as Loki. That guy is freaking brilliant and the way he plays with words and manipulates people just has me slapping my forehead. The best part is how he manages to play everyone while keeping his hands clean on everything.
"Oh no, I told him to give the ring back to the Rhyne. Honest I did! I have no fault in all the killing and chaos going on here. You can't say I instigated any of this!"
He even ends the thing by laughing as he walks off stage while holding the handkerchief that I presume is supposed to represent a ripped-out heart going by the scene. Freaking Loga!
Definitely worth a watch for anyone who wants to see the origin of so many of the standards of story telling in the modern day. If you think you don't like Opera, this thing will prove you wrong.
(I'll have to check out the other 3 later. Can't exactly binge four 2 and a half hour operas in one sitting no matter how good they are.)
First, I want to start off with how heavily I had been hit over the head with just how much Tolkein ripped directly from this thing. Seriously, the ring in this story is the freaking one ring from Lord of the Rings. There's no two ways to slice it. The thing has the same level of overwhelming power. And it's not just that. It felt like Tolkein failed to do his source material justice even after borrowing such a powerful artifact for his own story. Second, the line delivered by the Rhein maidens at the end nearly made my jaw drop. Also, Loga. Freaking Loga. Supposedly the god of fire, but pretty obviously some version of what we know as Loki. That guy is freaking brilliant and the way he plays with words and manipulates people just has me slapping my forehead. The best part is how he manages to play everyone while keeping his hands clean on everything.
"Oh no, I told him to give the ring back to the Rhyne. Honest I did! I have no fault in all the killing and chaos going on here. You can't say I instigated any of this!"
He even ends the thing by laughing as he walks off stage while holding the handkerchief that I presume is supposed to represent a ripped-out heart going by the scene. Freaking Loga!
Definitely worth a watch for anyone who wants to see the origin of so many of the standards of story telling in the modern day. If you think you don't like Opera, this thing will prove you wrong.
(I'll have to check out the other 3 later. Can't exactly binge four 2 and a half hour operas in one sitting no matter how good they are.)
